Bryce takes my hand and leads me upstairs. Nisha and Max follow. As soon as we get to the top, Max takes my other hand and I am sandwiched between the two. The floor is open-plan with a pristine white tiled floor, white walls and more funky artwork dotted about the room. To the left of where we stand is a massive L-shaped sofa, a huge sheepskin rug and the biggest TV I’ve ever seen hanging on a central dividing wall. One side of the TV wall is a huge window that wraps around three sides of the house. There are no curtains anywhere. The whole world must be able to see in and somehow that makes me feel particularly vulnerable. I kind of shrink into myself. Look at me, dressed in Primark nightwear, with a swollen lip, a bruised face and messed-up hair. I’m a sodding mess. This place is a palace. I don’t fit inhere.
“You alright, Louisa?” Max asks, sensing my suddenwithdrawal.
“I don’tknow…”
Nisha walks over to the couch, throws herself down and kicks off her shoes. “This is going to be fun!” shegrins.
“Good evening, Bryce,” says a man with the most startling blue eyes and smooth caramel skin. He is well built like Max, with an athletic figure. His hair is cut close to his head and even though he’s wearing jeans and a navy hoody, he is extremely well turnedout.
Nisha’s mouth drops open as her gaze falls on him. I watch how she pulls her back straight and brushes a hand over her hair. I’ve known Nisha long enough to know when she’s attracted tosomeone.
“Calum, let me introduce you. This is Louisa, and this is her friend Nisha. They will both be staying with us for awhile.”
Calum nods to me. “Nice to meet you, Louisa,” hesays.
“You too,Calum.”
“Please call me Cal, everyone else does,” he smiles, his gaze turning to Nisha, who is currently pulling her top down to show more cleavage. Oh God, what is she doing? Calum studies her, an unreadable expression on his face. Nisha looks up, sees that he’s watching her, then mumbles something about an uncomfortable bra whilst turning an even deeper shade of red, having been caught blatantly trying to show off her best assets. When we get a moment, I’m going to need to have a chat with her about her pullingskills.
“Would you show Nisha to the spare room? We’ll take Louisa to hers in a moment,” Bryce adds, looking as amused asMax.
“Of course,” he says, then turns to Nisha, who looks as though she’d like to crawl into a rather large hole and bury herself. Bless her, it’s been a while since she’s been caught off guard likethis.
“Nisha, would you like to follow me?” Calumasks.
She stands, then realising she’s got socks with huge holes in, she sits back down and pulls her trainers on. Calum waitspatiently.
“Sorry, I needed my shoes,” she rambles. “I mean, I don’t need them inside the house. I just didn’t want to leave themhere.”
“Ready?” he says, a tiny smile twitching at hislips.
“Sure, lead the way.” She stops in front of me. “I’ll see you in abit?”
“Take your time, Nish. I know it’s early, but I might go lie down for a bit. Maybe catch you in themorning?”
“Okay, sure. I’ll haveCalto keep me entertained,” she whispers, wiggling hereyebrows.
“Don’t count on it, he’ll be busy picking up Hud,” Bryce sayslightly.
“Shame, he’s right up my alley.” She gives me a look. A very happy cat that’s got the cream look. I laugh as she walks away but soon stop when a sharp pain stabs me in theside.
“Your friend, she’s quite the character,” Max says, watching Nisha followingCalum.
“I like her,” Bryce adds. “She can talk the back end off a donkey, but she means no harm.” Bryce lets go of my hand. “I’m going to fix you a drink. Max, take her upstairs, run Louisa abath.”
“I’m not on the same floor asNish?”
“No, you’ll be on the same floor as us, where we can keep an eye on you,” Bryce says firmly. I don’t try to argue. Frankly, I’m bone tired and a bath soundsamazing.
“Come on, Louisa, let me show you upstairs,” Maxsays.